UNITEDRANT

The transfer list

Manchester United’s season will end with the Premier League trophy heading back to Old Trafford once again. It is, by any measure, a season of success, although disappointment in Europe and two domestic cup competitions will sting Sir Alex Ferguson over the summer.

The Premier League may have been sealed with four games to go, but it hasn’t been a universally productive season for Ferguson’s players, some of whom may well be on their way out of the club this summer.

Poor performances are one thing, but the loss of Ferguson’s trust is quite another. It is the latter that normally guarantees an exit. And while the political machinations of the transfer market are plenty, so predictions almost impossible, here is Rant’s top five potential exits this summer:

Nani
It would take a brave punter to place any money on the Portuguese winger remaining at United beyond this summer. That Ferguson was happy to sanction a sale of the 26-year-old former Sporting player over the winter says much – Nani’s time at Old Trafford is surely up.

Having arrived for a little over €25 million – £17 million in 2007 prices – it is unlikely United will realise a profit on the winger, who has only intermittently fulfilled his undoubted potential. Indeed, for around 18 months or so after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure there was genuine belief that Nani could replace his fellow Portuguese’s star turn.

The output had normally been productive though. The 12 goals and 13 assists produced last season was matched by few in Nani’s position across the major European leagues. And by the end of the 2010/11 campaign many were shocked that Nani was left out of the nominations for Player of the Year.

But with the player having appeared in just 20 games all season – 14 starts – he has done little to command a substantial fee, or indeed the hefty wages the player has reportedly sought.

Injury had played a part, but in truth the player is no longer first choice even when fit. That players with less natural talent – Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, for example – are ahead in the pecking order is a measure of just how many of his six years at Old Trafford Nani had wasted.

Expect to see Nani sold to a continental club this summer. Juventus, Paris Saint German, and mid-tier Spanish clubs might be in the bidding at around £12-15 million.

Anderson
There has rarely been a more disappointment with a player that has graced Old Trafford. Not that there has ever really been any doubt about Anderson’s talent, even if the Brazilian has only recently improved on a history of shockingly wasteful passing. Instead the anticlimax comes in a talent completely unfulfilled; a €30 million fee that will never be recovered and has seldom brought value.

Injuries have stolen much of Anderson’s lustre over six seasons, but that is only a partial truth. The player, a most un-Brazilian Brazilian, has let himself down far too often. Those late nights, the partying when injured, a body not maintained at its optimum, and a casual attitude to training that has so often frustrated. United’s investment has rarely been match by Anderson’s professionalism.

In that Anderson had damaged his most precious asset: the burst of pace and athleticism that brought the player to international recognition as a 17-year-old trequartista in Brazil.

True, Ferguson has rarely deployed the player in an attacking role, where his supporters maintain the former Gremio midfielder performs best. There is scant evidence of that, but in truth little to support Anderson’s involvement as more orthodox midfielder either.

Ferguson has been steadfast in his support. Yet, there is an inescapable sense that Anderson is a regret whose closure will only come with a departure this summer. Expect the midfielder’s return to Portugal for somewhere south of £10 million.

Wayne Rooney
The former Evertonian is no longer a boy – not with more than 400 appearances now on the clock for United. Yet, there is an inescapable feeling that Rooney is on the down-slope of a career that perhaps hasn’t hit the stratospheric heights once expected.

Make no mistake, Rooney’s is an exceptional talent. Here is a player equally comfortable at ‘nine’, ’10’ or in a conventional midfield role, as recently witnessed.

But this flexibility has damaged Rooney’s output this season, with the Scouser rarely deployed as United’s striking focal point. Instead, in a slightly withdrawn role Rooney has intermittently excelled. It has been a season of highs, lows and a little too much mediocrity.

Yet, the question isn’t really about Rooney’s value to United, nor his natural talent, but whether the 26-year-old still has the hunger and physical capability to perform with the elite. That burst of searing pace has gone, while the player is no longer in finest shape.

No longer first choice striker, Rooney could soon be usurped in the ‘shadow’ role by Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa. It is an uncomfortable time for a player who has scored 197 goals for the club.

Could United cash in this summer with PSG reportedly interested? Certainly there are few clubs that could afford the England-international’s astronomical wages, although the transfer fee might be lower than £25 million.

Javier Hernández
Few will be celebrate if the effervescent Mexican departs Old Trafford this summer. But with the striker afforded so few opportunities a fresh start away from Manchester might suit the 24-year-old. Real Madrid’s long-standing interest has not been solidified with an official bid, but there is sure to be heavy interest from Spain should United seek to cash in on a player who has scored 16 goals this season.

Hernández still has plenty to offer, but Robin van Persie’s arrival means there are unlikely to be any more opportunities for the Mexican next season. Hernández moves on or settles for a long-term squad role.

After all, while Rooney, Danny Welbeck, and to some extent van Persie, offer flexibility, Hernández is really only effective in one role. And even if Rooney leaves the club this summer, the Scouser’s departure will surely only come if Ferguson’s brings in a top-class replacement.

Anders Lindegaard
The season began with Sir Alex lauding the benefits of rotating his two main goalkeepers – David de Gea and Lindegaard. The campaign draws to a close with David de Gea not only established as United’s first choice stopper, but one of the top two performers in the Premier League. Indeed, Lindegaard’s fall from grace has been so stark since a calamitous performance against Reading at the Madejski in December that it will surprise few if the Danish international moves on in the summer. After all, Ben Amos has patiently waited in the wings for an opportunity, while England under-19 ‘keeper Sam Johnstone is thought of highly by United’s coaching staff.

Just eight starts in the Premier League this season means that Lindegaard is also likely to miss out on a winners’ medal unless Ferguson takes pity on the 29-year-old former Aalesund player. The Dane is likely to be available for around £2 million.

58 comments

If Hernandez leaves, it will be on his terms, because I believe Ferguson will want him to stay. Hernandez will have to request a transfer to move, but I actually don’t see it happening. Hernandez seems very happy being with Man Utd and being apart of the squad. Even if he went to Real Madrid, his role would be no different than at Man Utd.

I agree that the chapter is finished for Nani and Anderson. Neither players have set the world alight at Man Utd, despite arriving with a massive buzz and high expectation. Nani has definitely flirted with being a top player, but consistency is a problem and it is time for him to move on. Anderson has never had any luck with injuries, but his general fitness hasn’t been good enough.

Lindergaard wants to play first team, and has every right to want that at the age of 28. I think he has served us well for the last 2.5 years as a back up goalkeeper. We needed someone to help with the bedding in period that David De Gea was going to endure. Lindergaard provided that and stepped in when we needed to take the Spaniard out for an educational break.

The controversial one is of course Wayne Rooney. The man who has been a big part of what we have done since he joined in 2004. Rooney is a top player, but for me, I have to say that this is another chapter that needs to come to an end now for Man Utd. Rooney has not become to player we always hoped he would. I don’t see him as someone who will win us the Champions League. We say in the week Robert Lewandowski score 4 goals against Real Madrid, but I wouldn’t put any money on Rooney scoring even one goal, over 2 matches, against Real Madrid.

I think he has become to comfortable with life at Man Utd and that will lead to a lack of focus and hunger. We are constantly hearing that he is unfit, and needs a run of games to get his fitness sharp. Rooney returned to pre-season overweight, which sums it up really. We seem him smoking and drinking in Las Vegas, so its no surprise he turns up to pre-season is a bad shape.

Rooney made his own bed in 2010, when he had the club over the barrel over his contract, and said he was better than us. We needed him at that point, but things have changed now. We need to move forward, and if we can get Robert Lewandowski, then we can push forward with him, alongside Kagawa and Van Persie. The best time to cash in on Rooney is this summer and we could get £25 million.

When you look at Anderson, and consider the patience shown, waiting for him to come good, and the chances he’s had to get and stay fit, and to show the professional attitude that you expect from a United player… you have to ask how Rooney has turned up on Fergusons shit list so quickly…
We’re talking about Rooney having a poor season, by his standard, and yet he’s still contributed more in this one season, (that he’s missed a third of) than Anderson has in his whole United carreer… how can we seriously be considering giving up on him???… and he’s still only 26!
Madness… and if Ferguson sells him… he’s a twat!

“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”

Rooney’ contribution has to be judged on the basis of £300,000 per week and the fact that his transfer value will drop after this summer. He’s still one of our most important players, but if you demand the big bucks you must be prepared to be held to a high standard. At this point, selling Rooney would not horrify me to the extent it would have not so long ago, but I’m not convinced it’s actually on the cards. Players can have an of season or two, Roo might be gangbusters next year, he’s been far from a disaster this year.

Nani, Ando, Linder – just not good enough, get rid of. Draxler at Schalke is my new pulled-out-of-the-papers arses favourite to replace Nani. He looks a united player to me, which means he’ll be bought by Spurs or Dortmund so that we can make a failed big money move for him in 2 seasons’ time.

would be a travesty if wayne ever leaves, would be looked back on as another player taggart has ran into the ground and then discarded, like ruud, hes no inferior to persie and much better than kagawa
he wont be sold though, taggart will decide hes a midfielder now, having previously decided he was best as the main striker, then left wing, then right wing, then off the striker, then as a man marker of attacking fullbacks,
he’ll take andershites place as non midfielder playing in midfield and blowing up after an hour because he has no idea what hes doing, he’ll probably pick up a few red cards along the way,
we’re probably 18 months away from rooney the holding midfielder

I was expecting an article that the Glazers were the reason why we never won the UCL and the above mentioned players would be sold. And that the reason why Apple charge 80 quid for a plug is because of the Glazers. Perhaps a couple more weeks then.

For mi Rooney should Ferguson b talking to Rooney about haveing the midfield position permantly i think he has all the ingredients to run a midfield. R main priorities should b bale and lewondowski? I think we r fully covered in all positions? We need a playmaker bur Wayne could b that if not then for mi bale os the answear cause like Kagawa he can play all cross the front line

Alfonso Bedoya said:
“Rooney’ contribution has to be judged on the basis of £300,000 per week”

No it doesn’t… using that logic, most of our midfield should have been sold last year… the only thing that matters is Fergusons mood…

£250,000 a week is the same level of wage as RVP and he won us the league. Rooney needs to stand up in the big games i.e. Madrid, but instead he was dropped. A significant point made by Ferguson, not that Rooney would get it.

If he is to stay put him in CM – his new start but with United. Otherwise sell up, Liverpool showed last night that its about the team, not somebody who thinks the world revolves around him. Rooney has a questionable attitude, Kagawa, Welbeck and Hernandez are younger, hungrier and appreciate their chance to play at United, Rooney doesn’t.

Selling Anderson and Nani is a must, I’d keep Lindegaard, a decent back up and as long as he gets 10 or so games a season he will be happy to stay. Being back up at United is tough and he’s proved he can come in and do a solid job. Hernandez should stay especially if Rooney goes.

Bill said:
£250,000 a week is the same level of wage as RVP and he won us the league. Rooney needs to stand up in the big games i.e. Madrid, but instead he was dropped. A significant point made by Ferguson, not that Rooney would get it.

If he is to stay put him in CM – his new start but with United. Otherwise sell up, Liverpool showed last night that its about the team, not somebody who thinks the world revolves around him. Rooney has a questionable attitude, Kagawa, Welbeck and Hernandez are younger, hungrier and appreciate their chance to play at United, Rooney doesn’t.

Selling Anderson and Nani is a must, I’d keep Lindegaard, a decent back up and as long as he gets 10 or so games a season he will be happy to stay. Being back up at United is tough and he’s proved he can come in and do a solid job. Hernandez should stay especially if Rooney goes.

persie and kagawa were both terrible against madrid, and unlike rooney, they werent given man marking jobs or played out of position

Bill said:
£250,000 a week is the same level of wage as RVP and he won us the league. Rooney needs to stand up in the big games i.e. Madrid, but instead he was dropped. A significant point made by Ferguson, not that Rooney would get it.

If he is to stay put him in CM – his new start but with United. Otherwise sell up, Liverpool showed last night that its about the team, not somebody who thinks the world revolves around him. Rooney has a questionable attitude, Kagawa, Welbeck and Hernandez are younger, hungrier and appreciate their chance to play at United, Rooney doesn’t.

Selling Anderson and Nani is a must, I’d keep Lindegaard, a decent back up and as long as he gets 10 or so games a season he will be happy to stay. Being back up at United is tough and he’s proved he can come in and do a solid job. Hernandez should stay especially if Rooney goes.

Van Persie has been an injury liability for most of his carreer… last year for Arsenal, and this year for us, are his only 2 properly good seasons… Rooney has carried us before, and even though he’s had a “below par” season, he’s still had one of the best contribution rates in the game.

At 26, Rooney has still got 4/6 potentially excellent seasons to come… losing faith in him after one ordinary season is ridiculous… some prople just don’t like him because he took some bad advice from a cunt agent, and handled his contract badly… but let’s try and remember that he not only changed his mind, but he apologised, and said he’d made a mistake, and then pledged his carrer to United… it’s pissy in the extreme to hold a grudge like that…

Rooney has done more than enough for United over the years to deserve better than this… if he comes back next year and continues his decline, then fine… but he’s too good a player to give up on after one off season… especially considering the patience shown towards the likes of, Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Hargreaves…

danniitronix said:
I was expecting an article that the Glazers were the reason why we never won the UCL and the above mentioned players would be sold. And that the reason why Apple charge 80 quid for a plug is because of the Glazers. Perhaps a couple more weeks then.

Shouldn’t judge Rooney on money. The fee we get for him (if it’s in the 20’s) will pale in comparison to the ever inflating value of sponsorship deals and our ridiculous interest repayments. Purely in terms of goals/assists, from the deeper forward, his return will be difficult to replace. If we sell him, it’ll be a huge risk – have we ever sold a player so crucial to the way we play and got better? And, aside from Ronaldo, when have we ever done a good job selling?

On the other hand, I don’t think he’s a player who will age well and obviously no one holds a grudge like Fergie.

There’s only so much talent on this team and like it or not, Rooney and Nani are near the top of the list for sheer talent/stardust/magic for United. Remember 2009-2010 where every attack began with the defense knocking it to Nani to have him create something out of nothing? Fergie would maybe lose one but not both in one year. My money would be on Rooney at CM and Lewandowski up front with RVP and Kagawa at the 10. If I could pull the strings, love to see Modric in at CM in deep with Carrick, do a Three Amigos with Roon, Shinji and Clevs and RVP up front. We’d win every game 6-4….

All the talk about Rooney leaving is a distraction to the real issue, which we all know… the MF. Today was an example of the fact that every time our defenders had the ball, there was rarely any ‘Midfielder’ dropping deep to receive and carry, and so instead we resorted to 40-50 yard punts up to RvP. It’s really sad to see how our link up play from the back has deteriorated. Even when players did occasionally offer themselves, invariably they passed it right back the way they were facing, or square at best. It seems no-one in there’s got the confidence to pick-up/win the ball and turn and carry it forward with drive and pace. Instead we treat it like a hot potato!

It also seems unreasonable to expect Carrick to have another career best season next year, which means not only do we need to find him an energetic partner of the type described above, but we also need cover for him. And that’s added to the pacy winger we’re crying out for. To me Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson and Nani have had their time; Young and Valencia are not good enough (for Europe) and Jones is not being given the chance to build expertise in a single position. I’m also disappointed not to have seen more of Powell – I hope this doesn’t turn into another Pogba situation. And what about all the other academy players that were coming through in the team with Pogba/Morrison a couple of years ago? Do they have a future? I’m certainly none the wiser another season on… Perhaps others could comment?

Commenter said:
…I’m also disappointed not to have seen more of Powell – I hope this doesn’t turn into another Pogba situation. And what about all the other academy players that were coming through in the team with Pogba/Morrison a couple of years ago? Do they have a future? I’m certainly none the wiser another season on… Perhaps others could comment?

In the four or five United under-21s matches I have seen in the last few months, Powell has been wearing the number 9 shirt, so I can understand why he’s not been brought into the first team to play as a midfielder. He looks okay as a forward, but I don’t see him pressing any of our current strikers for a place in the starting XI. Tunnicliffe was out on loan, so I only saw him once. He and Lingard have looked good, but not head-and-shoulders above the competition and able to take the game by the scruff, so I doubt either will prove to be an improvement on Cleverley. In my opinion, to compete in the UCL, United will have to buy midfielders from elsewhere.

Fergie is still living off the youngsters he blooded in 95. His record with youngsters after that is mediocre when compared to Wenger. I doubt Zaha or Powell will get games next season. Its a fucking sham.

Alfonso Bedoya said:
Van Persie has been an injury liability for most of his carreer… last year for Arsenal, and this year for us, are his only 2 properly good seasons… Rooney has carried us before, and even though he’s had a “below par” season, he’s still had one of the best contribution rates in the game.

At 26, Rooney has still got 4/6 potentially excellent seasons to come… losing faith in him after one ordinary season is ridiculous… some prople just don’t like him because he took some bad advice from a cunt agent, and handled his contract badly… but let’s try and remember that he not only changed his mind, but he apologised, and said he’d made a mistake, and then pledged his carrer to United… it’s pissy in the extreme to hold a grudge like that…

Rooney has done more than enough for United over the years to deserve better than this… if he comes back next year and continues his decline, then fine… but he’s too good a player to give up on after one off season… especially considering the patience shown towards the likes of, Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Hargreaves…

Regarding Rooney… I think a lot will depend on this summer… he needs to focus on football for a change… keep fit, lay off the booze, pies and fags… and don’t get involved in any fuckin scandals… whenever he’s got too much time off, and no supervision, he manages to get himself into trouble… Ferguson should have a word with Colleen and get her to keep him on a leash.

“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”

Do not see the point of getting rid of Rooney at all. Yes, he can play like a donkey and frequently has the touch of a rapist but his versatility is vital. We would effectively need three players to replace him: a very good forward, an average winger and a reasonably promising central midfielder. Replacing what he can do for £25m is virtually impossible. Having said all of that, if Fergie really wanted to sell I’d trust him to make the correct decision.

Nani is probably in the top ten in the league for talent but unfortunately in the bottom ten for consistency. A reluctant sale…

Never seen the point of Anderson. One good through ball a season does not make him a good passer. Seems to be hugely over-rated by some. Sell.

Would hate to see The Pea leave but could understand why he might want to. But, like Owen, he needs to play alongside another striker and not many of the best teams play with two up top. It’s a realistic choice of being a squad player in a top team or taking a step down to become a regular starter. Up to him, I guess.

Lindegaard: don’t really care. If we sell him we will probably have to buy someone just like him anyway.

Scholes: Unlike everyone else I’m not 100% convinced he will actually retire. I can see Fergie talking him in to staying if he doesn’t want a final chance to play for Oldham.

Alfonso Bedoya said:
FFS Cal… he’s a dumb, young twat, who’s been on millionaires wages since he was 17… you so sure you’d have been a stable, model citizen if you could say the same? I’m not sure I could.

The Rooney issue’s a delicate one. If someone from abroad comes in with a big-money offer for him in the Summer I think United will take it. That boyish enthusiasm he had for the game that made him so exciting to watch seems to have long since been extinguished, and Rooney without the enthusiasm will never play to his full potential, and given that his contract’s winding up, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad move for either party involved. I don’t think Rooney will stay in England if not with United though. The last thing Fergie would want to do is see Rooney find a new leash of life with a domestic rival. If there are no offers, then it probably depends if Rooney will accept a new contract on reduced terms, because I doubt even he would argue he’s been good value for the astronomical wages he’s on.

Spudiator said:
The Rooney issue’s a delicate one. If someone from abroad comes in with a big-money offer for him in the Summer I think United will take it. That boyish enthusiasm he had for the game that made him so exciting to watch seems to have long since been extinguished, and Rooney without the enthusiasm will never play to his full potential, and given that his contract’s winding up, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad move for either party involved. I don’t think Rooney will stay in England if not with United though. The last thing Fergie would want to do is see Rooney find a new leash of life with a domestic rival. If there are no offers, then it probably depends if Rooney will accept a new contract on reduced terms, because I doubt even he would argue he’s been good value for the astronomical wages he’s on.

I agree and disagree here spud..I can see him winding his contract own and going back Everton…he’s a home boy and he’s maturing hence why enthusiasm as a kid has dissipated.

Spudiator said:
The Rooney issue’s a delicate one. If someone from abroad comes in with a big-money offer for him in the Summer I think United will take it. That boyish enthusiasm he had for the game that made him so exciting to watch seems to have long since been extinguished, and Rooney without the enthusiasm will never play to his full potential, and given that his contract’s winding up, it wouldn’t nGood sarily be a bad move for either party involved. I don’t think Rooney will stay in England if not with United though. The last thing Fergie would want to do is see Rooney find a new leash of life with a domestic rival. If there are no offers, then it probably depends if Rooney will accept a new contract on reduced terms, because I doubt even he would argue he’s been good value for the astronomical wages he’s on.

Good post. I agree with most of it.

He’s still a brilliant player and losing him would be a bit of a gamble but he’s not the player he once was. People say he’s had one poor season by his standards but he is on obscene wages by anyone’s standards. People were once talking about him in the same breath as Ronaldo ffs.

tbf i just miss the old wayne
the one whod receive the ball on the turn 40 yards from goal and you knew something brilliant was gonna happen, either hed barge past a load of cunts or hed volley one from 30 yards or put ruud in with a brilliant ball that no one else wouldve seen
its taggarts fault that player has now been replaced with one who recieved it 40 yards out and gives it to valencia on the wingbefore jogging into the box and waiting for a cross thats never coming, thats assuming hes not the one playing on the wing in the first place

It’s not just Ferguson that’s ruined that Wayne… every time England plays, the country takes a little piece of him, and the English press has a lot to answer for as well… first he was the reason we were going to win the world cup, then he was the reason we didn’t win it… then they tried to put him in his place, (he’s good, but he’s not world calss), and now that he’s flagging, they’re all going on about how he was supposed to be world class, but will remain unfulfilled potential.

Fergie does not want to a sell Rooney but I do believe Rooney will make his own decision to leave because Fergie has made it clear that he is interested in Lewandoski or Falcao. So Rooney knows he will not get much playing time playing as a striker and Fergie will continue to use him in a midfield role and Rooney don’t want that because Rooney is the main striker for England’s world cup team. I do believe Anderson, Young and Nani maybe sold but Hernandez will probably stay and battle for a starters position. What is interesting, who will Fergie buy to play left wing? He is looking for a natural left-footed winger and a central defensive midfielder. Today he claims his targets are already in place!